Method of printing



June 1, 1943.

J. J. ORMOND 2,320,744

METHOD OFPRINTIN'G Fiied Sept. 16, 1941 Patented June 1, 1943 I v METHOD OF PRINTING John J. Ormond, Boston, Mass., assignor of twothirds to Joseph D. Ramsey, Boston, Mass.

Application September 16, 1941, Serial No. 411,031

Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparams for printing, and more especially-to methods and apparatus for applying printing materials on textiles.

A principal object of the invention is to improve methods and apparatus for printing on textiles. and more especially to devise means'for applying printing ink to piled or napped fabrics without losing sharpness of outline of subject matter being printed, and without materially affecting the character and appearance of the fibres of such piled or napped materials. Another object of the invention is to provide a means of obtaining suitable penetration of printing materials in and around the fibers of napped or piled textiles. Another. object of the invention is to provide'a method and apparatus for applying adhesives and flock particles in the form of designs.

The nature of the invention, and its objects, will be more fully understood from the following description of the drawing and discussion relating thereto.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a method of printing textiles in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail fragmentary cross section of a printed napped material;

Fig. 3 is another detail fragmentary cross section of a printed napped material; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a modification of method of the invention.

In applying printing materials, and especially printing inks-to textiles such as napped or piled fabrics, it is diflicult to secure suitable penetration of the printing ink, in and around the fibers, without obtaining blurred outlines of the printed subject matter and without crushing or sticking together the fibers of the fabrics.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a method of transferring a printing ink over the tips of the fibers of a napped or piled fabric, and I subject the piled material to operations which are adapted to force or set the printing ink down around the fibers without blurring the outline of the printed subject matter. The operations may also be adapted to separating the fibers from one another. and'to causing bent over fibers to assume a substantially erect position.

One of the operations referred to consists in gradually bringing a napped fabric into contact with an ink image on a printing roll so that the fibers of the napped fabric meet the ink in a. substantially erect position, and then lightly pressing or pulling the fabric against the printing ink.

Application of ink in this manner tends to gradually urge the printing ink around the fibers without distortion of the ink image or crushing of the-fibers taking place.

A further procedure which may be resorted to consists in passing the napped fabric, carrying a lightly applied ink image, over a friction roll rotated at high speed. The roll tends to further settle or drive the ink image down around the fibers, and to develop an electro-static effect which causes the fibers to separate from one an other and to pass from a bent overposition to a more nearly erect position. The friction roll may be further modified to include means for beating the fabric, or rolls of the modified beating character may be employed in conjunction with one or more friction rolls as hereinafter set forth.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of means of carrying out printing operations of the character described. Numeral I denote a printing roll of some suitable type, as for example a relief printing roll. The printing roll I is inked by some conventional inking means such as inking rolls. Engaged with the roll I is an oflset roll 2, the outer surface of which is provided with an offset blanket 3 for receiving ink from the. printing roll 8. Other printing means may be resorted to.

Mounted below the offset roll 2 in spaced relation therefrom is a pressure roll 4, and a second pressure roll. 5 in contact with the roll 4. Lo-

cated above the offset roll 2 is another roll 1 of a relatively smaller diameter than the diameter of the rolls 4 and 5. The roll I is also located in spaced-apart relation with respect to the offset roll 2 and may be adjusted to take positions above, and to the right or left of, roll 2, .as viewed in Fig. 1, to vary the period of contact and area of contact of a web of material with the-offset roll 2. In a preferred method of operation a napped or piled fabric l2 is'passed between rolls 4 and 5 which, at the point of nip, exert a light pressure on the fabric, tending to limit its speed of movement to the speed of rotation of these rolls.

From the roll 4, the fabric passes upwardly and around the offset roll 2, carrying a printed 1: image, and thence around the roll I. The i= ameter of the roll I is less than the diameter of rolls 4 and 5, and the speed of roll 'I is adjusted so that a tension is developed, tending to lightly draw or wrap the fabric around and against a part of the printing surface of the offset roll 2, and to hold the fabric in contact with the offset roll for a shortinterval of time. 5

It should be observed that the offset roll 2 and the roll 4 are spaced apart so that a sudden squeeze or nip is avoided, and the fabric is gradually brought into overlapping relation with respect to the ink image which has been transferred from the printing roll I to the surface of the transfer roll 2. The roll 2 moves through a substantial part of its path of rotation while partially covered with the fabric, and in this position the fabric is lightly pressed or drawn against the printing ink image on the offset roll 2 by means of the tension under which it is held An important feature of the method of the invention is the step of wrapping the fabric relatively lightly over the surface of the inked offset roll 2, and holding the fabric in a fixed position relative to the surface of the offset roll for a short interval, during which the fabric is lightly pressed against the printing ink. The combined effect of thus holding the fabric against the inked transfer roll and applying a light pressure results in a clear and accurate transfer of the printing ink image over the tips of the fibers of the napped material.

Attention is especially directed to the fact that by gradually bringing the napped fabric into contact with the offset roll, the fibers of the fabric tend to contact the ink image in a normally extended position at right angles to the plane. of the fabric, instead of being crushed or bent over as occurs upon passing a fabric of this character between the nip of rolls in contact with one another. It thus becomes possible to more completely incorporate the ink in and around the The method of presenting the fibers of a fabric to a film of printing ink, while the fibers are in a substantially erect position, is further improved by allowing the fabric to pass over a roll surface immediately before the fabric contacts the printing ink image. In the drawing, the roll 4, for example, tends to provide for the fabric being bent around its surface, which causes the fibers to assume a more erect position just before contact with the ink image on a transfer roll 2. It is contemplated that this efi'ect may be accentuated by utilizing a roll of smaller diameter over which the cloth may pass just before it contacts an ink image on a'printing member.

The method of wrapping a fabric lightly around an inked printing member is suitable for printing on some types of fabric without resorting to other procedures. However, in the case of certain other types of fabrics, it may be desired to resort to further operations in conjunction with the one just described.

I may desire to utilize means for heating the fabric before it reaches the printing ink. For

example, I may include in the rolls 4 and 5, or in I other rolls, heating elements adapted to substantially heat the fabric to a point at which its fibers may soften the printing ink of the ink image, which facilitates penetration of the ink down around the fibers. Heating may also be carried out at other points.

Another desirable arrangement for printing on still other types of cloth consists in the combination with the rolls l, 2, l, 5 and I, of a roll or roll members 6, generally referred to as friction rolls. In the drawing, I have illustrated a I roll 6, located at the left-hand side of the roll 2,

as viewed in Fig. 1, lightly engaging with the unprinted side of the fabric ii. The roll 6 is preferably rotated at a very high speed to set up a frictioning effect against the surface of the fabric l2.

A further important feature of the invention,

is the combination of a frictioning roll with means for gradually bringing a fabric into contact with.

If desired, the friction roll may be located at a point adjacent the under side of the fabric I2, just prior to contact of the fabric l2 with the offset roll. It is intended that location of a friction roll at this point will, by reason of the static condition developed, tend to urge the fibers apart and to hold them in a fully erect position at the time when they contact printing ink on theoffset roll. In the drawing, a roll 6 might be mounted adjacent the fabric l2 between the rolls 2 and 4, and at a point at which the fabric is out of contact with each of these rolls.

- Similarly, a friction roll member may be utilized between the roll I and the roll 3. In this case, the static effect in the fabric could be very desirably employed to insure the fibers of a printed fabric springing apart from one another and eliminating any possibility of sticking in the case of employing a very heavy printing ink. Other locations of a friction roll may also be resorted to, as for example at a point adjacent and under a printed fabric after passing over the roll I. In this arrangement, the force of gravity, combined with vibration, functions to further improve penetration of printing ink down around the fibers.

The friction roll or rolls may be modified to include means for beating the fabric, or subjecting the fabric to a series of impacts. Also, a roll of such modified beating character may be employed in conjunction with the friction rolls described.

For example, at some convenient point in front of the roll 1, I may provide a rod member 8, pivotally supported and adapted to be rotated at high speedsby suitable driving means. The rod" 8 may, for instance, be of a hexagonal cross section, being formed with flat sides 9 and edges l0. When the rod is rotated at high speeds, the edges l0, occurring along the points of meeting of the faces 9, tend to set up a series of impacts on a web of fabric passing thereof. If desired, fabric passing over the rod 8 may be supported at a further point, as for example by an idling roll ll, before being wound into a roll I6.

Still another important feature of the invention is the method of combining with the step of wrapping a fabric around a printing roll, the passing of the fabric over a beater rod such as 8. The edges of the rod strike against the fabric and provide a series of impacts which tend to drive the ink down around the base of the fibers of the napped material. A very desirable result may be obtained by using a rod .8, in conjunction with the roll 6, and for some very dense piled fabrics, such a procedure may be found preferable. The rod 8 also develops an electro-static effect in the fabric which causes the fibers to straighten out and spring apart from one another. Application of rod 8 to the fabric may be carried out while the cloth is being held against aninkimage.

' overcome, even with the more tacky of inks, and

the fibers are straightened up from a bent over position so that the character and quality of the printed napped material is in no way inferior to that of unprinted napped oods.

It is intended that various other instrumentalities for frictionin-g or striking fabric may be resorted to, as for example reciprocating bars and other structures. In addition, it is intended that the step of subjecting cloth to a series of impacts may be combined with various other types of printing operations than the particular wrapping process illustrated in Fig. l, and also that the step of subjecting fabric to a beating element may be combined with the use of friction rolls in connection with fabric printed by other means than that illustrated in Fig. 1.

The method of lightly applying a printing. material by the use of spaced-apart roll assemblies, such as that illustrated in Fig. 1, maybe utilized to apply other printing materials than printing ink. .For example, in Fig. 4 I have illustrated another modification of the method of the invention in which the rolls 4 and 5 are mounted as before in spaced-apart relation with respect to the transfer roll 2. Similarly, the roll 'Hs main tained in spaced-apart relation with respect to the transfer roll 2. The printing roll I and the pressure roll 6 operate in the same general manner already described. However, the rod 8 is mounted in a chamber I3 containing flock particles H.

In accordance with the modified procedure, an adhesive printing material, of the type generally utilized as a base in which particles of fiock material are embedded, is printed on the offset roll 2. This adhesive printing material is ap plied to a fabric IS in the same way as was described in connection with applying ink to the,

fabric l2. The spaced-apart arrangement of the transfer roll and the other rolls is utilized to secure a light transfer of the adhesive material to the fabric I5. Thereafter the adhesive covered fabric is passed over the rod member 8 while particles of fiock material are distributed over the surface of the fabric. The action of the rod 8 results in the fiock particles becoming embedded in the printed area of the adhesive material, to form novel designs of flocked particles in the well known manner.

The method and apparatus for lightly applying the adhesive prevents blurring and allows a sharp outline to be obtained in selected areas on the fabric surface over which fiock particles are applied to provide design areas of flock material. The method of applying the adhesive by laying the fabric over a printed transfer roll surface and then rolling is particularly'efiective in handling' the adhesive which is not readily printed by usual printing means.

In handling the adhesive material on the printing roll I, ink trapping films are employed to facilitate picking up the adhesive and releasing it on the transfer roll. Such films may be obtained by treating the roll surfaces with certain liquid hydrocarbons such as benzine. Various other-substances may be used to form ink trap ping films. Y

The procedure outlined for applying adhesive material is particularly effective in printingde signs of adhesive over a fabric which is of the It will be seen that the invention provides a method of gradually and lightly applying a napped fabric to a surface containing printing material; of avoiding a nip or squeeze and of varying the angle at which the fabric meets an inked surface to provide for a relatively extended period of contact of the fabric with the printing member; of changing the period of contact and area of contact of the fabric as desired; of presenting the fibers of a napped fabric, to an ink image, in as nearly an erect position as possible; of subjecting fabric to means for settling or driving printing material in, around, and on fibers thereof; and for separating the fibers from one another; of utilizing means for settling or driving printing material into napped fabric fibers especially including frictioning rolls, beater rods,

vibrating elements, and other devices; and of applying these devices, separately or in conjunction with one another, to a napped fabric just before it contacts printing material or while it is contacting printing material, or after it has contacted printed material, or at all of the pointsnoted.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understoodthat various changes and modifications may be resorted to', in keeping with the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. That improved process of printing napped printing ink to a series of impacts for the purpose of driving the printing material.

2. That improved fabric which comprises applying a printing ink on a printing member, transferring the printing ink to a web of piled fabric, and then subjecting the piled fabric to a purpose of separating the fibers and settling ink into the napped the printing ink in and around and on the separated fibers of the piled material.

3. That improved process of applying a print,- ing material to a piled fabric which comprises depositing an adhesive printing medium on a printing member, passing a web of piled fabric into overlapping relation with the adhesive printing medium on the printing member, then applying pressure to the web of piled fabric to lightly transfer the to the fibers of the neously applying flock particles to the transferred adhesive printing medium and subjecting the web of piled fabric to a series of impacts for process of printing a piled series of impacts for the adhesive printing medium Q piled fabric, then simultathe purpose of setting the adhesive printing medium into fibers of the napped material, and also inducing the flock particles to assume an erect position on the settled adhesive printing medium.

4. That improved process which comprises applying a material on a printin member, transferring the material to a web of piled fabric, and then subjecting the piled fabric to a series of impacts for the purpose of separating the fibers thereof and settling the material in and around the said fibers.

5. Process of printing a piled material which comprises applying a printing ink to a printing roll, passing a web of piled material, held under tension between a roll occurring in spaced relation with respect to the printing roll at one side thereof and a second roll occurring in spaced relation with respect to the printing roll at an opposite side thereof, into overlapping relation with printing ink, and then engaging the outer surface of the web of piled material with a frictioning roll which is driven at a higher peripheral speed than the web of piled material, said frictioning roll being applied adjacent the printing point of the piled material.

6. That improved process of printing on piled fabric which comprises applying a printing medium-on a printing roll, passing a web of piled fabric over a friction roll which is driven at a higher peripheral speed than the speed of the web of piled fabric thereby to cause the fibers of the fabric to assume an erect position, then passing the fabric over the printing medium on the printing roll with the fibers of the piled fabric while inan erect position being brought into contact with the printing medium, maintaining the web under tension for a short interval in contact with the printing medium, and then separating the web from the printing roll.

'1. That improved process of applyin printing material to piled fabric which comprises applying a printing medium on a printing roll, gradually bringing the web of piled fabric, under tension, from a roll disposed in spaced-apart relation with respect to the printing roll, into contact with the printing medium while the unfinished side of the piled fabric is engaged by a friction roll which is driven at a higher peripheral speed than the speed of the piled fabric.

8. Process of applying printing material to piled fabric which comprises applying a printing medium on a printing roll, passing a web of piled fabric, held under tension, into overlapping relation with the printing material on the roll, and simultaneously frictioning the unfinished side of the piled fabric with a roll which is driven at a higher peripheral speed than the speed of the web of piled fabric.

9. That improved process of printing which.

comprises applying a printing ink on a printing member, passing a web of piled fabric over the printin member in a position suitable for bringing the fibers of the piled fabric into contact with the printing ink, engaging the unfinished side of the piled fabric adjacent the point of printing with a roll which is driven at a higher peripheral speed than the speed of the web of piled fabric.

10. That improved process of printing a napped material which comprises applying a printing ink on a printing roll, bringing a web of the napped material into overlapping relation with respect to the printing ink throughout a substantial portion of the roll surface, then engaging the napped material at its unprinted side with a frictionroll which is driven at a. higher peripheral speed than the speed of the napped material to induce the fibers of the napped material to assume an erect position, and then passing the napped material over a beater element for the purpose of setting the printing ink down around the fibers of the napped material.

JOHN J. ORMOND. 

